Mariselle watched as two of the guards left quickly to find King Edward.
“Let’s go,” Karina said softly, grabbing her hand. “We’ll wait in the Great Hall. Like the queen suggested.”
A SHORT TIME later, as Karina and Mariselle were being escorted down the hallway by a guard, they heard commotion behind them. Turning around, Mariselle stared in shock as a group of soldiers led Angelique and Gaylen toward the Throne Room. As if sensing her, the sorceress looked her way and their eyes met. Mariselle smiled and waved. Angelique smiled back at her.
“Mariselle,” Karina scolded, grabbing her hand. “You mustn’t do that.”
She looked up at her. “Sorry.”
“The woman is evil,” she muttered, picking up speed. “Just remember that.”
As much as everyone kept saying it, Mariselle still couldn’t help but feel that they were wrong.
15
ANGELIQUE STOOD IN front of King Edward’s throne, her head held high as Marcus informed him of what had happened in the woods.
“No more games. Who sent the message?” the king asked, holding it in his hand.
“I did,” she replied, staring boldly back at him. “I wanted you to know that your wizard is up to his old tricks. Hopefully, you’ll believe me this time when I tell you not to trust Gaylen.”
“Don’t listen to her, Your Majesty,” Gaylen said, looking at her with disgust. “It’s obvious as to what she’s doing. Angelique is trying to separate us so that she can take her revenge out on you. You know that I would protect you with my life. Your welfare is all I care about.”
“He’s lying,” Angelique said between clenched teeth. “Gaylen asked me to kill you and your family because he’s tired of serving you and can’t harm you himself. Once you’re gone, he’s planning on using the identity of your eldest son, to acquire the throne.”
The mage laughed harshly. “Nobody believes you, Witch. You’re just making yourself look like a fool.”
“Your Majesty,” Marcus said. “If I may have a word with you?”
Edward nodded.
Marcus approached the throne and began whispering in his ear. Angelique watched the king’s expression, but his face remained stony.
“Thank you, Marcus,” King Edward said, as the sheriff stepped away. “It’s been brought to my attention that there is definitely cause for questioning, Gaylen. Apparently, Marcus heard you mention something about a ‘plot’? And, why were you having a conversation with Angelique, in the middle of the woods anyway?”
The wizard gave him a wounded look. “It pains me that you would question my loyalty, Your Majesty.”
“It pains me to have to,” the king countered.
Gaylen pointed to Angelique. “You asked me to find out about the dragon,” he said angrily. “I did and it was her. She’s continually playing mind games.”
“So, you say,” he replied and looked at Angelique. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
She raised her chin. “Honestly, I am here only as a courtesy, which you don’t deserve. As much as I despise you, your children do not deserve to die and believe me, that’s exactly what he wanted.”
“Do you have any proof at all?” Edward asked with a cool smile.
“Yes, in fact,” she pulled out something from her robe and smiled when she saw the sudden look of panic spread across the mage’s face. “I have a Truth Stone. Make him hold it while he answers your questions. He won’t be able to lie.”
Gaylen glared at her. “Don’t listen to her. There is no such thing as a Truth Stone.”
She chuckled. “Really? You’re the one who introduced me to it.”
“More lies,” growled Gaylen.
“We’ll see about that.” Angelique nodded toward the sheriff. “Test the stone out on him. You’ll quickly learn who is lying and who isn’t.”
The king nodded toward Marcus.
“Don’t let him touch it. It could be poisonous,” the wizard snapped as Marcus approached Angelique.
“If I wanted to kill someone, I’d have done it by now,” she said dryly and looked at Marcus. “Don’t worry. No harm will come to you, unless… you have something to hide.”
“I have nothing to hide.” Marcus took the stone from her and held it in his palm.
Angelique looked at the king. “Go ahead, ask him something. Anything. He won’t be able to lie. In fact, Marcus, try and lie. Make something up and see what happens.”
“Will it hurt?” the sheriff asked, studying the stone.
“Only someone’s feelings if you say something cruel about them,” she replied with a smirk.
Grunting, he nodded and looked at the king. “Go ahead. Ask away.”
“Marcus, what color is my hair?” he asked.
“Remember to lie,” Angelique said.
“It’s…” Marcus’s mouth moved but nothing came out. “It’s black,” he said finally.
The king looked puzzled. “Did you try and say otherwise?”
“Yes. I truly did,” he replied, a stunned expression on his face.
“Ask him something else,” Angelique said.
“What color robe is Gaylen wearing?” the king asked.
Again, Marcus tried to lie but was compelled to tell the truth.
“It truly works,” he said, staring at the rock in wonder.
“Interesting. Hand Gaylen the stone,” the king said, waving his finger.
“What? I refuse to touch that thing,” the wizard said with a look of disgust. “It’s some kind of trickery, I promise you.”
“And yet, you’re the one who introduced me to it,” Angelique said dryly.
“Gaylen, I command you to take the stone,” the king said sternly.
The wizard’s eyes widened. “But, Your Majesty, I wouldn’t trust-”
“Now,” the king said firmly.
Gaylen’s face turned red. “Forgive me, Sire, but I will not fall victim to… to this Black Magic, which it obviously is. I have always been true and loyal to the Rothhavens. You know that.”
Angelique crossed her arms. “He’s afraid you’ll find out the truth. Of how much he really despises you and your family.”
“What I am afraid of is you getting away with making me look like I would ever go against my king.” He looked at Edward. “Please, I implore you… don’t trust this woman or her ‘rock’. Have I ever given you any cause to distrust me, Your Majesty?”
“No. You haven’t,” Edward admitted. “Angelique has been the only deceiver here, I’m afraid.”
The wizard’s eyes brightened. “Yes. Her plan is to take me out of the picture, leaving you and your family defenseless against her dark magic. Don’t listen to her lies and trickery.”
The king looked at Angelique.
“No,” she said, panicking. She could tell by the look in the king’s eyes that he was falling for Gaylen’s lies once again. “You have to believe me.”
“Why should I?” he asked, tapping his fingers on the throne’s armrest. “Honestly, if I were standing in your shoes, I wouldn’t be back to help the man who banished me from Syracuse. Why should I believe that you would ever want to?”
“Because,” trying not to cry, she grabbed the stone from Marcus and closed her eyes. “Because even after all of this time, Edward, as furious as I am with you… my heart is still yours.”
16
EDWARD FELT A tug at his heartstrings at such an emotional confession. But then he reminded himself that a woman who practiced Black Magic was also an expert at lying and deceiving. Gaylen himself had showed him that long ago.
He clapped his hands and smiled coldly. “Great performance. I must hand it to you, Angelique, the lengths you’ll go to get what you want are impressive. Fortunately, I’m not easily bamboozled by your lies.”
Her eyes hardened. “You stubborn fool. You’re going to get your entire family killed because of your ignorance.”
“Did you hear that?” Gaylen said excitedly. “She’s threatening to destroy your family!”
“I’m trying to save it,” she replied angrily.
As far as Edward could tell, Angelique was the only threat. An idea came to him.
“If you truly love me, would you be willing to prove it?” he asked her.